Safety shield



E. w. HOFFMAN SAFETY SHIELD Jan. 17, 1933.

Filed Aug. 25, 1931 .2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 17, 1933. E. w. HOFFMAN1,894,867

SAFETY SHIELD Filed Aug. 25. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Z. 14 Hoffman Patented Jan. 17, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EARL W. HOFFMAN, OFDUBUQUE, IOWA, ASSIGNOB TO JOHNSON HIGH TEST OIL COMPANY, OF FREEIORT,ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS SAFETY SHIELD Application filedAugust 25, 1931.

The object of this invention is to provide a shield for use in unloadingrailway tank cars, such as are employed for transporting such liquids asgasoline and the like.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a flexible andcollapsible shield for disposition about the opening of the tank car,subsequent to the removal of the dome, so as to protect the contents ofthe tank from exposure thus eliminating fire hazards, as might be causedby flying sparks, lightning, and the like during the unloading process.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent aftera study of the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein 2- Figure 1 is an elevational view of thecover, the same being shown as applied to the tank car.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially onthe line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

With reference more in detail to the drawings, it will be seen that theshield designated generally by the reference character 5, 1s preferablyconical, being open at its ends, and the same is formed from a singlesheet of fabric cut to the required shape and rolled into the form of acone with the adjacent edges of the fabric sewed or otherwise securedtogether.

The shield 5 at its largest end is provided with a pocket 6 extendingcircumferentially, and in this pocket is sand or other suitable material7 providing a weight for said end of the shield. The pocket 6 may beformed or provided in any suitable manner. However, in the presentinstance, as shown, the material of the shield is hemmed to provide thepocket 6.

Adjacent its upper or smallest end the material of the shield 5 islikewise hemmed to provide a circular pocket 8 within which is a drawstring 9.

Adjacent the largest end of the shield, there is stitched to the wallthereof a circular strip of fabric or other material from which SerialNo. 559,313.

the shield is formed. This circular strip designated generally by thereference character 10 serves to confine in position interiorly of theshield, a ring 11 which aids in retaining the shield expanded adjacentits lower weighted end.

In actual practice, and during unloading of the tank car, a portion ofwhich is shown in the drawings and designated generally by the referencecharacter 12, the shield 5 has the weighted end thereof resting on theupper edge of the neck 13 of the tank car as shown in Fig. 3.

The unloading pipe 14 will of course extend beyond the upper end of theshield 5, and the shield 5 at said upper end is contracted and securedabout the pipe 14, through the medium of the draw string 9, the ends ofwhich are tied together in a manner well known in the art.

With the shield located and secured in position in this manner, it willbe seen that the neck 13 is substantially closed, and the possibility ofthe contents of the tank becoming ignited by flying sparks or by theelements, is obviated.

Even though I have herein shown and described the preferred embodimentof the invention, it is to be understood that numerous changes in theshape, size and arrangement of the several parts may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. A shieldformed of flexible material provided with a circular pocket at one endthereof, weight means in said pocket, and

4. A shield for closing the filling neck of a tank during unloadingthereof, comprising a conical body formed of flexible material andhaving at one end thereof a circular pocket adapted to rest on the neck;weight means in said pocket and an opposite end contractible about theunloading pipe.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EARL W. HOFFMAN.

